Vacuum cleaners

ABSTRACT

Canister type vacuum cleaners, which can be used in any of their horizontal and upright positions. The vacuum cleaners include a casing housing a motor and a vacuum pump and a readily accessible compartment for a dust bag. The casing is free of protuberances and is configured so it will slide easily across the surface of the area in which it is used. It may be surrounded with an integral or removable cover to keep the cleaner from damaging furniture, etc., and/or a removable dolly may be attached to increase the mobility of the cleaner. A readily locatable, footoperated power switch external to the vacuum cleaner casing is also provided to facilitate turning it on and off.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,883,922

Fleischhauer 1 May 20, 1975 [541 VACUUM CLEANERS 3,591.888 7/1971 Takedaet all 15 323 3, 36, 1 1972 B 1. 1 [76] Inventor: Eugene T.Fleischhauer, 176 West 6 won at 3 5/327 R X L W gfi gg gg oods' StamfordPrimary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby Assistant ExaminerC. K. Moore 1 1Fllfidl 2, 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies[21] Appl. No.: 320,055

[52] US. Cl. /327 R; 15/325 [51] Int. Cl A471 5/36 [58] Field of Search15/327 R, 327 D, 327 E, 15/325, 323, 347; D7/168 [5 6] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 1,573.77] 2/1926 McClatchie 15/327 D 2,438,1333/1948 Sparklin... 15/327 E X 2,532,264 11/1950 Smith 15/327 R X2,534,122 12/1950 Hamala.... 15/323 2,582,046 l/l952 Lampe 15/327 E2,653,342 9/1953 Bonin et a1... 15/327 E 2,819,091 1/1958 Lampc 15/327 EX 3,142,857 8/1964 Fresard et a1. 15/327 E 3,516,110 6/1970 Nillson15/325 132 94 5 5 II F 3 & Kurz [57] ABSTRACT Canister type vacuumcleaners, which can be used in any of their horizontal and uprightpositions. The vacuum cleaners include a casing housing a motor and avacuum pump and a readily accessible compartment for a dust bag. Thecasing is free of protuberances and is configured so it will slideeasily across the surface of the area in which it is used. It may besurrounded with an integral or removable cover to keep the cleaner fromdamaging furniture, etc., and/or a removable dolly may be attached toincrease the mobility of the cleaner. A readily locatable, foot-operatedpower switch external to the vacuum cleaner casing is also provided tofacilitate turning it on and off.

15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures VACUUM CLEANERS This invention relates tocleaning devices and, more specifically, to novel canister type vacuumcleaners which have a number of advantages over those heretoforeavailable including the cleaners shown in US. Pat. Nos. 1,721,549 toMcClatchie; 2,433,356 to French; 2,438,133 to Sparklin; 2,591,305 toSegesman; 2,634,451 to Dow; 3,002,215 to MacFarland; 3,023,838 toGaudry; 3,089,177 to Andersson-Sason; 3,142,857 to Fresard; 3,270,365 toWaters et a1; 3,328,826 to Amos; and 3,621,640 to Ohno et a].

Canister type vacuum cleaners generally consist of a motor and a vacuumpump, a compartment housing a dust filter, a suction hose, an assortmentof cleaning tools, a power cord and switch, and a tanklike casing orcanister. The motor and pump, dust filter, and power switch are usuallylocated in the canister of the cleaner with the hose communicatingthrough one end of the canister with the dust compartment and the powercord entering the canister at the opposite end.

The canisters of such vacuum cleaners are usually horizontally orientedcylinders or polygonal like boxes and spheres oriented in a variety ofattitudes.

To facilitate movement over rugs, bare floors, thresholds, etc.,casters, wheels, runners, pneumatic flotation elements, glides, etc.,are usually attached to the canisters. Also, elastomeric bumpers areusually provided to reduce contact with furniture and the like. Further,a handle is provided to facilitate carrying the canister from place toplace.

Because they protrude from the canister, casters and the like, bumperstrips, and handles become engaged with rug edges. thresholds, rockerrunners, furniture legs and feet, etc. They also cause the canister tomove in undesired directions, defeating their purpose.

Conventional canister type cleaners also have protruding knobs, hinges,latches, etc., and a protrusion at the hose junction, all of which areapt to catch on table and chair legs, sharp corners of furnishings, etc.

These inconvenient and vexatious situations are often compounded by thecleaner being upset when the user tries to dislodge the machine. Then hemust stop to right the machine or drag the cleaner in its upsetattitude, which increases its tendency to hang up on obstacles and makesthe power switch inaccessible or very inconvenient to reach.

in addition to the foregoing inadequacies the usual canister typecleaner is low to the floor and provides a poor and inconvenientplatform upon which to drape the hose and/or support the conventional,relatively long, rigid wand. This results in a generally unkempt sprawlof vacuum cleaner and appendages on the floor of the storage area.

I have now invented certain novel, improved vacuum cleaners of thecanister type which do not have the above-enumerated drawbacks and areotherwise superior to them as will hereinafter become apparent. Briefly,the novel vacuum cleaners of the present invention include an elongatedbody or casing contoured so that the cleaner will glide easily acrossthe surface of the area being cleaned.

Preferably, the contour will be selected so that the cleaner can glideeasily on its top and sides as well as its bottom, thereby making itorientation insensitive. A base with projecting feet permits the cleanerto be positioned in an upright orientation, which is convenient forstorage, in cleaning stair steps, etc. The feet also space the base fromthe supporting surface so that exhaust air can be discharged through it,even with the vacuum cleaner in the upright orientation and so that apower cord can be conducted to the interior of the casing through thebase.

One or more hand grips are formed in the casing so that the cleaner canbe readily transported from placeto-place. All hand grips are fairedinto the casing and the vacuum cleaner is otherwise kept free ofprotuberances so that there will be no projections to catch on, tanglewith, or damage furniture, drapes, moldings, etc.

To further minimize the possibility of causing damage, the casings of mynovel vacuum cleaners can be made or provided with an exterior surfacelayer of a material which will not scuff furniture, floors, or othersurfaces. Alternatively, a removable anit-scuff covering may be employedfor this purpose.

Housed in one end of the casing are a vacuum pump and an electric motorfor driving the pump. These components may be of conventional,commercial construction.

Between the pump and the opposite end of the casing is a compartment fora dust-receiving bag or filter. Access to this compartment is gainedthrough a latchable hinged panel or door in the top or upper wall of thecasing.

The bag is typically oriented with its open end surrounding and securedto a tubular fitting for the end of a conventional vacuum cleaner hoseextending through the end of the casing in alignment with thelongitudinal axis of the casing. With the casing configured as described above, this orientation of the vacuum cleaner hose relative tothe casing facilitates the gliding movement of the cleaner.

As indicated above, the novel vacuum cleaners disclosed herein arepreferably configured so that they can be readily moved across thesurfaces of the areas in which they are being used. To further increasetheir mobility, a novel detachable, wheeled dolly I have invented can beattached to the cleaner.

Another feature which can be advantageously employed in my vacuumcleaners is a novel bulb-type penumatic actuator for controlling theflow of current to the vacuum cleaner motor by opening and closing thecontacts ofa fluid-operated switch. This actuator is located exteriorlyof the vacuum cleaner casing. Accordingly, by merely stepping on theactuator, the motor of the cleaner can be readily turned on and off. Atthe same time there is no risk of damaging the surface on which theactuator rests.

Aside from those discussed above, the novel vacuum cleaners disclosedherein have the advantage of being simple and therefore inexpensive tomanufacture and service. They are also easy to manipulate, handle, andstore and have the further advantage that they do not leave tracks inrugs and similar coverings over which they may be pulled when they areused without a dolly.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevantarts that the primary object of the present invention resides inprovision of novel, improved vacuum cleaners of the portable, canistertype.

Other important but more specific objects of the invention reside in theprovision of vacuum cleaners in accord with the preceding object which:

l. are simple and therefore comparatively inexpensive to manufacture andservice and yet efficient in operation.

2. are mobile, convenient to use, versatile, and easy to handle andcarry;

3. in conjunction with the preceding object, can be provided with adetachable dolly to even further increase their mobility.

4. are compact and easy to store and furnish a support for the vacuumhose and the power cord.

5. substantially eliminate the possibility of scuffing.

6. have a readily accessible and easy to use dust collecting bag or theequivalent.

7. have a novel switching arrangement which facilitates the turning onand off of the vacuum cleaner motor.

8. can be made in a variety of esthetically pleasing shapes orconfigurations.

Still other important objects and advantages and further novel featuresof the present invention will become apparent from the appended claimsand as the ensuing detailed description and discussion proceeds inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 constitutes a side view ofa vacuum cleaner in accord with theprinciples of the present invention with part of the exterior casing ofthe cleaner being broken away to show its internal components and asectioned view of a detachable dolly, shown detached from the vacuumcleaner;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the dolly shown attached to the vacuumcleaner;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with the exterior casing of thevacuum cleaner intact and an anti-scuff covering in place.

FIG. 4a is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the vacuum cleaner in anormal horizontal position on a floor surface;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the detachable dolly of FIG. 1 and istaken substantially along line 5-5 of the latter figure; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of a second form of vacuum cleaner in accord withthe principles of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing, FIGS. 1-3 show in detail, a vacuum cleanerconstructed in accord with and embodying the principles of the presentinvention. Vacuum cleaner 20, which is shown supported in an uprightposition on surface 22, includes an external casing 24 housing a vacuumpump 26, a motor 28 for driving pump 26, and a dustbag 30 in acompartment 32 at the front or upper end of the casing.

A conventional vacuum hose 34 is detachably coupled to the casing at itsfront or upper end. This hose communicates with the dustbag 30 through atubular fitting 36 mounted in casing 24.

To increase the mobility of the vacuum cleaner, a detachable dolly 38can be attached. This dolly includes a base 40, an axle 42 extendingtransversely across the base, wheels 44 rotatably mounted on the axle onopposite sides of base 40, and a glide button 45 on bottom rear of base40.

Vacuum cleaner motor 28 is supplied with electrical power through apower cord 46. To turn the motor on and off, the vacuum cleaner ispreferably provided with a diaphragm actuator type switch 48, apneumatic actuator 50, and a pneumatic tube 52 connected between theactuator and switch 48.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 4a, vacuum cleaner 20 may also be provided withan anti-scuff covering 53 to eliminate damage to furniture, floors, etc.

Referring still to FIGS. l-3, the casing 24 of vacuum cleaner 20includes side walls 54, a bottom wall 56, and a top wall structureincluding a stationary member 58 and a pivotable panel or door 60 whichfurnishes access to bag-holding compartment 32. Each of the four wallstructures is continuously convex in a longitudinal direction. Thisexternal configuration of the vacuum cleaner makes it slide easily bothforward and backward and pivot in response to manipulation of hose 34 orthe acessory (not shown) attached to it.

The external configuration also makes the vacuum cleaner insensitive toorientation. That is, as far as its mobility is concerned, it makes nodifference whether the vacuum cleaner is upon its bottom, one of itssides, or its top.

Another advantage of this novel casing configuration is that it providesan elongated, relatively slender nose on which the vacuum hose and powercord of the casing can be wound for storage.

The rear or lower end of casing 24 is closed by a base 62 (see FIG. 1)from which feet 64 extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis ofthe vacuum cleaner. Feet 64 stabilize the vacuum cleaner when it isoriented in the vertical position shown in FIGS. 1-4.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel 60 which provides access tobag-holding compartment 32 is fixed to immovable top panel 58 as by apiano-type hinge 66 which extends transversely across the vacuumcleaner; i.e., at right angles to its longitudinal center line. Theopposite end of panel 60 can be locked in place by a latch 68.

As best shown in FIG. 1, latch 68 includes a mounting plate 70 fixed tothe inner side of panel 60. Slidably mounted in mount 70 is an actuatoror thumb button 72, which is accessible through an aperture 74 in thepanel (see also FIG. 2). Movable with thumb button 72 is a latch member75, which is engageable with a stop 76 in a recess 78 formed in a member80 extending between and fixed to the side walls 54 of the casing.

With latch button 72 in the position shown in FIG. 1, latch memberengages pin or stop 76 to lock panel 60 in place against a seal 82.Latch button 72 can be slid upwardly as shown in FIG. 1 to free latchmember 75 from pin 76, permitting panel 60 to be swung to an openposition so that dust bag 30 can be removed and emptied or replaced.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the member from which latching pin 76 issupported also has a central, longitudinally extending bore 84 in whichfitting 36 is mounted. The open end of bag 30 is slipped over the loweror rear end of this tube and secured in place as represented by a tiewire 86. The vacuum hose 34 is detachably connected to the upper orfront end of tube 36 by a latch 88. This latch includes a button mountedon a spring member 92 supported from a coupling member 94 at the end ofthe hose. Spring member 92 carries a second resilient member 95 on whicha stop 96 is mounted.

The vacuum hose coupling also includes a tubular member 98 dimensionedto slide into tube 36. When tube 98 is fully seated, stop 96 is biasedby its resilient support 95 into an aperture 100 in fitting 36 to lockthe vacuum hose in place.

To remove the vacuum hose, latch member 90 is depressed, freeing stop 96from fitting 36. Coupling tube 98 is then free to slide out of tube 36and through the aperture 102 in the front end of casing 24 to uncouplethe vacuum hose.

As shown in FIG. 1, the exterior of the hose coupling is contoured tomatch the configuration of the vacuum cleaner casing. This eliminatesthe usual protuberance present at the hose-canister junction.

Referring still primarily to FIG. 1, it was pointed out above thatvacuum cleaner pump 26 and motor 28 will typically be commerciallyavailable off-the-shelf components. In the illustrated embodiment of myinvention, these two components are combined into a single unitsupported at one end from casing 24 by bracket 104. A vibration reducingrubber or comparable mount 106 is preferably disposed between bracket104 and pump 26 to minimize vibration.

The opposite end of the pump/motor unit is supported from the base 62 ofcasing 24 in bracket 108, from which it is isolated by rubber or similarmount members 109.

Also mounted on base 62 is the switch 48 by which motor 28 is turned onand off. This switch, which is again of a commercially available type,includes a housing 110 in which a diaphragm 112 is mounted. Whenpneumatic actuator 50 is collapsed as by squeezing or stepping on it,the pressure on the air in it and pneumatic tube 52, which is connectedbetween the actuator and the interor of the switch housing 110 through abore 113 in base 62, is increased. This moves diaphragm 112 upwardlywith vacuum cleaner 20 in the vertical orientation shown in FIG. 1. Thisdisplaces a mechanical actuator 114 upwardly closing the switch contacts(not shown) in casing 115 and establishing continuity in the power cordlead 116 in which the switch is interposed. A very small hole orequivalent leak (not shown) is introduced into the pressure system toallow internal static pressure equalization with the atmosphere.

Switch 48 is of the sequential type. Accordingly, a subsequentcollapsing of actuator 50 to again increase the pressure on diaphragm112 effects a displacement of the diaphragm and actuator 114, whichcauses the switch contacts to open, interrupting the supply of power tomotor 28 and turning it off.

The operation of the motor/pump unit is essentially conventional. Whenmotor 28 is energized to operate pump 26, air is caused to flow from thecleaning implement (not shown) attached to vacuum hose 34 through thehose and fitting 36 into dust bag 30. From here the air flows through asecondary pad or filter l 18 fixed to support 104 by a filter supportgrid 120 and into the pump.

Substantially all of the foreign material entrained in the air stream istrapped in bag 30 as the air flows through it. Any foreign substanceswhich may escape from the bag are trapped on filter 118. Accordingly,the air discharged from pump 26 is clean. This cleaned air is exhaustedfrom the interior of casing 24 through exhaust ports 122 in casing base62.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, a hand grip 124 is formed in the top wall 58of vacuum cleaner casing 24 so that the vacuum cleaner may be carriedfrom place-toplace. This is facilitated because the shape of the vacuumcleaner when oriented in the illustrated, vertical position is such thatit is easily carried.

As is apparent from FIG. 1, hand grip 124 is faired into the casing topwall and nowhere protrudes above it. Consequently, the vacuum cleanerwill glide as easily on the top and side walls of the casing as on itsbottom wall when the vacuum cleaner is used in its typical, horizontalorientation.

Similar hand grips 126 and 128 will typically be formed in the side andbottom walls 54 and 56 of the casing. Accordingly, irrespective of theside of the casing which may be down when the vacuum cleaner is in use,one of the hand grips will be readily accessible.

It was pointed out above that the vacuum cleaner casing configurationillustrated in FIGS. l-4 makes it highly mobile but that this mobilitycan be even further increased by use of dolly 38. The base 40 of thedolly is contoured generally to match the bottom wall 56 of vacuumcleaner casing 24, but has fairings 129 which extend out over wheels 44to keep the latter from causing any scuffing or other damage as thevacuum cleaner is moved about. A bracket 130 fixed to the rear end ofthe dolly hooks over the rear end of bottom casing wall.

At the front end of the dolly is an integral, upstanding projection 132.When dolly 38 is attached to the vacuum cleaner, tubular fitting 36extends through an aperture 134 in this projection (see FIG. 5) to fixthe front end of the dolly to the vacuum cleaner.

A second aperture 136 is formed in the body of the dolly. This affordsaccess to the hand grip 128 in the bottom of the vacuum cleaner casingwhen the dolly is in place.

As indicated above, the casing of the vacuum cleaner can be made of orcovered with an anti-scuffing material. One type of material suitablefor the casing is a vinyl coated metal. Other suitable materials ofcomparable characteristics will readily occur to those skilled in thearts to which the invention relates.

Alternately, as also previously discussed, a removable covering asidentified by reference character 53 in FIG. 4 may be employed toprevent scuffing and other damage. This cover may be formed of anyrelatively soft material and will preferably be made to completelysurround the cleaner with enough give or separable seams with suitablefasteners so that it can be slipped over the vacuum cleaner from itsfront end and appropriately secured.

An opening 138 is formed in the cover to provide access to panel 60 sothat dust bags can be removed and replaced. In normal operation, thisopening is covered by a flap 140 secured in place as by snaps, zippers,or similar fasteners (not shown).

To even further minimize the possibility of scuffing, the vacuum hose 34may also be surrounded by a soft covering as indicated by referencecharacter 142 in FIG. 4.

Referring again to the drawing, it is of course not necessary that thevacuum cleaners I have invented have the precise configuration andpolygonal cross section of vacuum cleaner 20. For example, FIG. 6depicts a vacuum cleaner 144 also embodying the principles of thepresent invention and having the advantages thereof. This vacuum cleanerdiffers from vacuum cleaner 20 both in the contour of its longitudinallines and, also, in that it has a circular transverse crosssection.

Still other configurations which can be employed will readily occur tothose skilled in the relevant arts.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated outercasing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end thereof; a pumphoused in said casing and drive-connected to said motor; a suction hosehaving one end thereof aligned with the longitudinal axis of the casingand communicating with the interior of the casing at the end of thecasing opposite the motor, there being a compartment for a bag in theregion of said casing into which said hose extends and said casingconsisting of wall portions all of which are continuously convex fromthe front to the rear thereof and taper from a location intermediate thefront and rear ends of the casing toward both of said ends and said wallportions all being free of protuberances. whereby said vacuum cleanercan slide freely forward and backward and pivot on one of said wallportions as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface onwhich it is supported irrespective of the orientation of the vacuumcleaner about its longitudinal axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, together with means for detachably fixingsaid suction hose to said elongated outer casing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein all of the surface engaging wallportions of said casing are of a scuff preventing material.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said casing has a basedisposed normally to the longitudinal axis thereof and means extendingfrom said base in the direction of said axis for supporting the vacuumcleaner in an upright position.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein there are apertures in saidbase through which air discharged from the pump in said casing can beexhausted.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, together with a power cord connectedto said motor and extending to the exterior of the casing through thebase thereof.

7. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated outercasing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end thereof; meansfixed to said casing at the end thereof at which the motor is located toform a closure for said end of said casing; a pump housed in said casingand drive-connected to said motor; a suction hose having one end thereofaligned with the longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating withthe interior of the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor,said end of the casing opposite the motor and the portion of the casingat which the motor is located being integrally joined to form asubstantially one piece shell, there being a compartment for a bag inthe region of said casing into which saidhose extends; a dollydetachably fixable to the casing of the vacuum cleaner, said dollyincluding wheels mounted for rotation about an axis normal to thelongitudinal axis of the cleaner and located intermediate the ends ofthe casing, whereby said vacuum cleaner can freely move forward andbackward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to thesurface on which it is supported by manipulation of said suction hose;and means so fixing said dolly to said casing that the dolly can becompletely detached from the casing and the vacuum cleaner functionnormally, which includes means for fixing said dolly directly to saidcasing at the end thereof at which the closure forming means is located.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein said dolly has means at oneend thereof releasably engageable with the casing of the vacuum cleanerat the end thereof at which the motor is located to secure the dollythereto, there being an aperture at the other end of the dolly throughwhich means carried by said casing can extend to secure said other endof said dolly to the casing end.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein said casing includes a bottomwall member with a hand grip formed therein by which said cleaner can becarried, there being an aperture in said dolly through which said handgrip is accessible.

10. An orientation insensitive canister type vacuum cleaner, whichcomprises: an elongated outer casing; a motor housed in said casingadjacent one end thereof; a pump housed in said casing anddrive-connected to said motor; a suction hose; means for detachablyfixing said hose to said casing with one end of the hose aligned withthe longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating with the interiorof the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor, there being acompartment for a bag in the region of said casing into which said hoseextends and said casing having a lower, surface engaging wall portionwhich is free of protuberances on which said vacuum cleaner can slidefreely forward and backward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner is movedrelative to the surface on which it is supported, said casing furtherhaving an uppere wall means which is generally coextensive in lengthwith said lower wall portion and has a continuously convex longitudinalycontour, and said upper wall means including a movable portion overlyingthe bag housing compartment in the vacuum cleaner casing and animmovable portion; hinge means fixing one end of said movable portion tosaid immovable portion for pivotal movement about an axis extendingtransversely across said cleaner, said hinge means not protruding abovethe exterior surface of said upper wall means; and latch means forfixing the other end of said movable portion to said immovable portionwhereby said movable portion may be pivoted about said transverse axisfollowing manipulation of said latch means to provide access to saidcompartment for the removal of bags, said latch lying below the surfaceof said upper wall means, said upper wall means being free ofprotuberances, whereby said vacuum cleaner can move freely forward andbackward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to thesurface on which it is supported by manipulation of said hose means evenwhen it is said upper wall means that is in contact with said surface.

11. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated outercasing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end thereof; a pumphoused in said casing.anddrive-connected to said motor; a suction hosehaving one end thereof aligned with the longitudinal axis of the casingand communicating with interior of the casing at the end of the casingopposite the motor, there being a compartment for a bag in the region ofsaid casing into which said hose extends and said casing consisting ofwall portions all of which are free of protuberances and taper from alocation intermediate the ends of the casing toward both of said ends onwhich said vacuum cleaner can slide freely forward and backward andpivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on whichit is supported irrespective of the orientation of the vacuum cleanerabout its longitudinal axis; and a covering overlying substantially allof said casing wall portions to protect furniture and the like fromdamage when contacted by said cleaner, said covering having adisplaceable portion thereof overlying the bag receiving compartment insaid casing to provide access to said compartment for the removal andreplacement of bags.

12. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated outercasing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end thereof; a pumphoused in said casing and drive-connected to said motor; a suction'hosehaving one end thereof aligned with the longitudinal axis of the casingand communicating with the interior of the casing at the end of thecasing opposite the motor, there being a compartment for a bag in theregion of said casing into which said hose extends; a dolly detachablyfixable to the casing of the vacuum cleaner, said dolly including:wheels mounted for rotation about an axis normal to the longitudinalaxis of the cleaner and located intermediate the ends of the casingwhereby said vacuum cleaner can freely move forward and backward andpivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on whichit is supported by manipulation of said suction hose; a main bodyportion attachable to said outer casing, said wheels being supportedfrom said main body portion on opposite sides thereof; and streamlinedprotective fairings extending from toward the front of said main bodyportion to adjacent said wheels and tapering outwardly at the rearmostends thereof to span said wheels and thereby keep said wheels fromstriking artifacts located on the surface across which the vacuumcleaner is moved; and means so fixing said dolly to said casing that thedolly can be completely detached from the easing and can be detachedwithout interrupting the functioning of the vacuum cleaner.

13. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated outercasing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end thereof; a pumphoused in said casing anddrive-connected to said motor; a suc tion hose;means for detachably fixing said hose to said casing with one end of thehose aligned with the longitudinal axis of the casing and communicatingwith the interior of the casing at the end of the casing opposite themotor, there being a compartment for a bag in the region of said casinginto which said hose extends and said casing having a lower, surfaceengaging wall portion which is free of protuberances on which saidvacuum cleaner can slide freely forward and backward and pivot as saidvacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on which it issupported, said casing further having an upper wall means which isgenerally coextenable portion for pivotal movement about an axisextending transversely across said cleaner, said hinge means notprotruding above the exterior surface of said upper wall means; latchmeans for fixing the other end of said movable portion to said immovableportion whereby said movable portion may be pivoted about saidtransverse axis following manipulation of said latch means to provideaccess to said compartment for the removal and replacement of bags, saidlatch lying below the surface of said upper wall means; and a hand gripintegrally formed in the movable portion of said upper wall means belowthe surface thereof, whereby said vacuum cleaner can freely move forwardand backward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to thesurface on which it is supported by manipulation of said hose means evenwhen it is said upper wall means that is in contact with said surface.

14. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated outercasing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end thereof; a pumphoused in said casing and drive-connected to said motor; a suction hosehaving one end therof aligned with the longitudinal axis of the casingand communicating with the interior of the casing at the end of thecasing opposite the motor, there being a compartment for a bag in theregion of said casing into which said hose extends; and a dollydetachably fixable to the casing of the vacuum cleaner, said dollyincluding wheels mounted for rotation about an axis normal to thelongitudinal axis of the cleaner and located intermediate the ends ofthe casing, whereby said vacuum cleaner can freely move forward andbackward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to thesurface on which it is supported by manipulation of said suction hose,said dolly having means at one end thereof releasably engageable withthe casing of the vacuum cleaner at the end thereof at which the motoris located to secure the dolly thereto, there being an aperture at theother end of the dolly through which means carried by said casing canextend to secure said other end of said dolly to the casing end and themeans carried by said casing and extending through said other end ofsaid dolly to the casing being a suction hose fitting extending throughsaid casing end and providing the communication between the suction hoseand the interior of the casing.

15. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated outercasing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end thereof; a pumphoused in said casing and drive-connected to said motor; a suction hosehaving one end therof aligned with the longitudinal axis of the casingand communicating with the interior of the casing at the end of thecasing opposite the motor, there being a compartment for a bag in theregion of said easing into which said hose extends; a dolly detachablyfixable to the casing of the vacuum cleaner, said dolly including wheelsmounted for rotation about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis ofthe cleaner and located intermediate the ends of the casing, wherebysaid vacuum cleaner can freely move forward and backward and pivot assaid vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on which it issupported by manipulation of said suction hose, said dolly having meansat one end thereof releasably engageable with the casing of the vacuumcleaner at the end thereof at which the motor is located to secure thedolly thereto, there being an aperture at the other end of the dollythrough which means carried by said casing can extend to secure saidother end of said dolly to the casing end, and the means at said one endof said dolly which is engageable with said casing comprising meansforming a recess at said end of said dolly into which the end of thecasing at which the motor of the vacuum cleaner is located can befitted.

UNITED STATES PA'IENT OFFICE IEBFEEFICATE 0F CORRECTEON PATENTNO. 13,883,922

DATED May 20, 1975 mvmrorus) Eugene T. Fleischhauer It is certified thaterror appears in the above identifrett patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below: Q

Column 1, line 34, after "edges" change the "period to a -comma Column2, line l7, change "anit" to --anti-.

Column 2, line 44, change "penumatic" to pneumatic.

Column 2 line 65., after "in insert -the.

Column 4, line 15 change acessory" to -accessory Column 5, line 32change "interor" to interior- Column 7, line 27, change the "period to a--comma Column 8, line 38, change "uppere to -upper-.

? v Column 8 line '41, change "longitudinaly" to -longitudinal-.

Column 9 line 66 change "immobable" to --immovable-.

Column 10, line 22, change "therof" to -thereof-.

Q vI

Column 10, line A6,, Change to gagmd and fixated this Q fifth Day ofAugust 1975 [SEAL] 1 Y Arrest:

RUTH f. MAQQN C. MARSHALL DANN r-i HX i X ffif ('mnminimu'r ufluu'nlsand Trudemurkx UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CER'HFICATE OF CORREQTIONPATENTNO. 3,883,922

Eugene '1. Fleischhauer lNVENTOR(S) It is certified that error appearsin the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Title page, Item 76, change "Renovah" to -Revonah-.

Signed and Scaled this twenty-third Day Of September 1975 [SEAL] AIIESI.

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN r-llu'sling ()fj'iur (mnmixsimu'rvf'lalenrs and Trademarks

1. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated outercasing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end thereof; a pumphoused in said casing and drive-connected to said motor; a suction hosehaving one end thereof aligned with the longitudinal axis of the casingand communicating with the interior of the casing at the end of thecasing opposite the motor, there being a compartment for a bag in theregion of said casing into which said hose extends and said casingconsisting of wall portions all of which are continuously convex fromthe front to the rear thereof and taper from a location intermediate thefront and rear ends of the casing toward both of said ends and said wallportions all being free of protuberances. whereby said vacuum cleanercan slide freely forward and backward and pivot on one of said wallportions as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface onwhich it is supported irrespective of the orientation of the vacuumcleaner about its longitudinal axis.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,together with means for detachably fixing said suction hose to saidelongated outer casing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein all of thesurface engaging wall portions of said casing are of a scuff preventingmaterial.
 4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said casing has abase disposed normally to the longitudinal axis thereof and meansextending from said base in the direction of said axis for supportingthe vacuum cleaner in an upright position.
 5. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 4, wherein there are apertures in said base through which airdischarged from the pump in said casing can be exhausted.
 6. The vacuumcleaner of claim 4, together with a power cord connected to said motorand extending to the exterior of the casing through the base thereof. 7.A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated outercasing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end thereof; meansfixed to said casing at the end thereof at which the motor is located toform a closure for said end of said casing; a pump housed in said casingand drive-connected to said motor; a suction hose having one end thereofaligned with the longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating withthe interior of the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor,said end of the casing opposite the motor and the portion of the casingat which the motor is located being integrally joined to form asubstantially one piece shell, there being a compartment for a bag inthe region of said casing into which said hose extends; a dollydetachably fixable to the casing of the vacuum cleaner, said dollyincluding wheels mounted for rotation about an axis normal to thelongitudinal axis of the cleaner and located intermediate the ends ofthe casing, whereby said vacuum cleaner can freely move forward andbackward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to thesurface on which it is supported by manipulation of said suction hose;and means so fixing said dolly to said casing that the dolly can becompletely detached from the casing and the vacuum cleaner functionnormally, which includes means for fixing said dolly directly to saidcasing at the end thereof at which the closure forming means is located.8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein said dolly has means at oneend thereof releasably engageable with the casing of the vacuum cleanerat the end thereof at which the motor is located to secure the dollythereto, there being an aperture at the other end of the dolly throughwhich means carried by said casing can extend to secure said other endof said dolly to the casing end.
 9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7,wherein said casing includes a bottom wall member with a hand gripformed therein by which said cleaner can be carried, there being anaperture in said dolly through which said hand grip is accessible. 10.An orientation insensitive canister type vacuum cleaner, whichcomprises: an elongated outer casing; a motor housed in said casingadjacent one end thereof; a pump housed in said casing anddrive-connected to said motor; a suction hose; means for detachablyfixing said hose to said casing with one end of the hose aligned withthe longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating with the interiorof the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor, there being acompartment for a bag in the region of said casing into which said hoseextends and said casing having a lower, surface engaging wall portionwhich is free of protuberances on which said vacuum cleaner can slidefreely forward and backward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner is movedrelative to the surface on which it is supported, said casing furtherhaving an uppere wall means which is generally coextensive in lengthwith said lower wall portion and has a continuously convex longitudinalycontour, and said upper wall means including a movable portion overlyingthe bag housing compartment in the vacuum cleaner casing and animmovable portion; hinge means fixing one end of said movable portion tosaid immovable portion for pivotal movement about an axis extendingtransversely across said cleaner, said hinge means not protruding abovethe exterior surface of said upper wall means; and latch means forfixing the other end of said movable portion to said immovable portionwhereby said movable portion may be pivoted about said transverse axisfollowing manipulation of said latch means to provide access to saidcompartment for the removal of bags, said latch lying below the surfaceof said upper wall means, said upper wall means being free ofprotuberances, whereby said vacuum cleaner can move freely forward andbackward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to thesurface on which it is supported by manipulation of said hose means evenwhen it is said upper wall means that is in contact with said surface.11. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated outercasing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end thereof; a pumphoused in said casing and drive-connected to said motor; a suction hosehaving one end thereof aligned with the longitudinal axis of the casingand communicating with interior of the casing at the end of the casingopposite the motor, there being a compartment for a bag in the region ofsaid casing into which said hose extends and said casing consisting ofwall portions all of which are free of protuberances and taper from alocation intermediate the ends of the casing toward both of said ends onwhich said vacuum cleaner can slide freely forward and backward andpivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on whichit is supported irrespective of the orientation of the vacuum cleanerabout its longitudinal axis; and a covering overlying substantially allof said casing wall portions to protect furniture and the like fromdamage when contacted by said cleaner, said covering having adisplaceable portion thereof overlying the bag receiving compartment insaid casing to provide access to said compartment for the removal andreplacement of bags.
 12. A canister type vacuum cleaner, whichcomprises: an elongated outer casing; a motor housed in said casingadjacent one end thereof; a pump housed in said casing anddrive-connected to said motor; a suction hose having one end thereofaligned with the longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating withthe interior of the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor,there being a compartment for a bag in the region of said casing intowhich said hose extends; a dolly detachably fixable to the casing of thevacuum cleaner, said dolly including: wheels mounted for rotation aboutan axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the cleaner and locatedintermediate the ends of the casing whereby said vacuum cleaner canfreely move forward and backward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner ismoved relative to the surface on which it is supported by manipulationof said suction hose; a main body portion attachable to said outercasing, said wheels being supported from said main body portion onopposite sides thereof; and streamlined protective fairings extendingfrom toward the front of said main body portion to adjacent said wheelsand tapering outwardly at the rearmost ends thereof to span said wheelsand thereby keep said wheels from striking artifacts located on thesurface across which the vacuum cleaner is moved; and means so fixingsaid dolly to said casing that the dolly can be completely detached fromthe casing and can be detached without interrupting the functioning ofthe vacuum cleaner.
 13. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises:an elongated outer casing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent oneend thereof; a pump housed in said casing and drive-connected to saidmotor; a suction hose; means for detachably fixing said hose to saidcasing with one end of the hose aligned with the longitudinal axis ofthe casing and communicating with the interior of the casing at the endof the casing opposite the motor, there being a compartment for a bag inthe region of said casing into which said hose extends and said casinghaving a lower, surface engaging wall portion which is free ofprotuberances on which said vacuum cleaner can slide freely forward andbackward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to thesurface on which it is supported, said casing further having an upperwall means which is generally coextensive in length with said lower wallportion and has a continuously convex longitudinal contour, and saidupper wall means including a movable portion overlying the bag housingcompartment in the vacuum cleaner casing and an immobable portion; hingemeans fixing one end of said movable portion to said immovable portionfor pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely across saidcleaner, said hinge means not protruding above the exterior surface ofsaid upper wall means; latch means for fixing the other end of saidmovable portion to said immovable portion whereby said movable portionmay be pivoted about said transverse axis following manipulation of saidlatch means to provide access to said compartment for the removal andreplacement of bags, said latch lying below the surface of said upperwall means; and a hand grip integrally formed in the movable portion ofsaid upper wall means below the surface thereof, whereby said vacuumcleaner can freely move forward and backward and pivot as said vacuumcleaner is moved relative to the surface on which it is supported bymanipulation of said hose means even when it is said upper wall meansthat is in contact with said surface.
 14. A canister type vacuumcleaner, which comprises: an elongated outer casing; a motor housed insaid casing adjacent one end thereof; a pump housed in said casing anddrive-connected to said motor; a suction hose having one end therofaligned with the longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating withthe interior of the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor,there being a compartment for a bag in the region of said casing intowhich said hose extends; and a dolly detachably fixable to the casing ofthe vacuum cleaner, said dolly including wheels mounted for rotationabout an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the cleaner and locatedintermediate the ends of the casing, whereby said vacuum cleaner canfreely move forward and backward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner ismoved relative to the surface on which it is supported by manipulationof said suction hose, said dolly having means at one end thereofreleasably engageable with the casing of the vacuum cleaner at the endthereof at which the motor is located to secure the dolly thereto, therebeing an aperture at the other end of the dolly through which meanscarried by said casing can extend to secure said other end of said dollyto the casing end and the means carried by said casing and extendingthrough said other end of said dolly to the casing being a suction hosefitting extending through said casing end and providing thecommunication between the suction hose and the interior of the casing.15. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated outercasing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end thereof; a pumphoused in said casing and drive-connected to said motor; a suction hosehaving one end therof aligned with the longitudinal axis of the casingand communicating with the interior of the casing at the end of thecasing opposite the motor, there being a compartment for a bag in theregion of said casing into which said hose extends; a dolly detachablyfixable to the casing of the vacuum cleaner, said dolly including wheelsmounted for rotation about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis ofthe cleaner and located intermediate the ends of the casing, wherebysaid vacuum cleaner can freely move forward and backward and pivot assaid vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on which it issupported by manipulation of said suction hose, said dolly having meansat one end thereof releasably engageable with the casing of the vacuumcleaner at the end thereof at which the motor is located to secure thedolly thereto, there being an aperture at the other end of the dollythrough which means carried by said casing can extend to secure saidother end of said dolly to the casing end, and the means at said one endof said dolly which is engageable with said casing comprising meansforming a recess at said end of said dolly into which the end of thecasing at which the motor of the vacuum cleaner is located can befitted.